SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION





SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 15, 2014


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

(State or other     (commission    (I.R.S. Employer

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 814-533-5300


N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))

















Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced first quarter 2014 results through March 31, 2014.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated April 15, 2014, announcing the first quarter 2014 results through March 31, 2014.



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Executive Vice President

& CFO


Date: April 15, 2014







Exhibit 99.1


AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS EARNINGS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2014   


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported first quarter 2014 net income available to common shareholders of $877,000, or $0.05 per diluted common share.  Net income available to common shareholders in the first quarter of 2014 declined by $127,000, or 12.6%, from the prior year first quarter due primarily to reduced non-interest revenue and no earnings benefit from a negative loan loss provision as was the case in 2013.  Diluted earnings per share was consistent between periods as total shares outstanding were lower in 2014 due to the success of the Company’s common stock repurchase program which was completed in the second quarter of 2013.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:  

     

 

First Quarter 2014

First Quarter 2013

 

 

 

Net income

$930,000

$1,056,000

Net income available to common shareholders

$877,000

$1,004,000

Diluted earnings per share

          $ 0.05

          $ 0.05


Glenn L. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the first quarter 2014 financial results: “There were several bright spots within our first quarter financial performance despite the overall negative impact that the record cold winter had on business activity within our marketplace.  We have grown our loan portfolio by $72 million, or 10.0%, over the past 12 months which was a key factor responsible for the 6.0% increase in net interest income in the first quarter of 2014.  While total non-interest revenue did decline in the first quarter of 2014 due to a sharp decrease in residential mortgage banking revenue, our trust and wealth management business continued to show good growth with fees up 8.0% when compared to last year.  Finally, we maintained excellent asset quality as our non-performing assets were only 0.41% of total loans, and there were no net loan charge-offs in the first quarter of 2014.”  


The Company’s net interest income in the first quarter of 2014 increased by $483,000, or 6.0%, when compared to the first quarter of 2013.  The Company’s net interest margin of 3.56% for the first quarter of 2014 was three basis points lower than the net interest margin of 3.59% for the first quarter 2013 and only one basis point lower than the more recently reported fourth quarter 2013 performance.  We believe that this demonstrates that the recent pace of net interest margin contraction has slowed from the pace of margin decline experienced over the previous two years.  The Company has been able to mitigate this net interest margin pressure and to increase net interest income by both growing its earning assets and reducing its cost of funds. Specifically, the earning asset growth has occurred in the loan portfolio as total loans averaged $787 million in the first quarter of 2014 which is $60 million or 8.2% higher than the $728 million average for the first quarter of 2013.  This loan growth reflects the successful results of the Company’s more intensive sales calling efforts, with an emphasis on generating commercial loans and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, which qualify as Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) loans, particularly through its loan production offices.  As a result of this growth in SBLF qualified loans, the Company has locked in the lowest preferred dividend rate available under the program of 1% until the first quarter of 2016.  Interest income in 2014 has also benefitted from reduced premium amortization on mortgage backed securities due to slower mortgage prepayment speeds.  Total interest expense for the first quarter of 2014 declined by $90,000 from the 2013 first quarter due to the Company’s proactive efforts to reduce deposit costs.  Even with this reduction in deposit costs, the Company still experienced growth in deposits which reflects the loyalty of our core deposit base and ongoing efforts to cross sell new loan customers into deposit products.  Specifically, total deposits reached a record level and averaged $856 million for the first quarter of 2014 which is $20 million, or 2.4%, higher than the $836 million average in the first quarter of 2013.  The Company continues to maintain good liquidity as evidenced by a loan to deposit ratio of 90.2% at March 31, 2014.


The Company did not record a provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to a $250,000 negative provision recorded in the first quarter of 2013.  The Company continued to maintain outstanding asset quality in the first quarter of 2014.  At March 31, 2014, non-performing assets are at their lowest point since the financial crisis and totaled $3.3 million, or 0.41%, of total loans which is $835,000 lower than they were at the end of 2013. There were no net loan charge-offs in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to net charge-offs of $1.4 million, or 0.76%, of total loans in the same prior year quarter when the Company resolved its largest non-performing credit of 2013.  When determining the provision for loan losses, the Company considers a number of factors, some of which include periodic credit reviews, non-performing assets, loan delinquency and charge-off trends, concentrations of credit, loan volume trends and broader local and national economic trends.  In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided a strong 448% coverage of non-performing loans, and was 1.28% of total loans, at March 31, 2014, compared to 327% of non-performing loans, and 1.29% of total loans, at December 31, 2013.


Total non-interest income in the first quarter of 2014 decreased by $284,000, or 7.4%, from the first quarter of 2013 due primarily to reduced revenue from residential mortgage banking activities. This 2014 reduction was caused by both lower refinance activity due to higher mortgage rates and reduced purchase activity due to the harsh winter weather conditions.  As a result, gains realized on residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market declined by $285,000 and other income dropped by $89,000 due largely to lower mortgage related origination and underwriting fees.  These negative items were partially offset by increased fees from our trust and wealth management businesses.  Specifically, trust and investment advisory fees increased by $151,000, or 8.0%, for first quarter of 2014 due to increased assets under management which reflects both successful new business development activities and market appreciation of existing assets when compared to the first quarter of 2013.                


The Company’s total non-interest expense in the first quarter of 2014 increased by $116,000, or 1.1%, when compared to the first quarter of 2013.  Salaries and employee benefits were down modestly between periods as the benefit of lower incentive compensation expense was largely offset by increased health insurance premiums.  Professional fees increased by $273,000 in the first quarter of 2014 due to higher legal costs, recruitment fees, and new recurring costs related to outsourcing our computer operations and statement processing to a third party vendor.  The overall cost savings benefit from outsourcing these services is captured in lower personnel costs in these departments and reduced software expense which is a key factor contributing to the $247,000 decline in other expenses in the first quarter of 2014.  Occupancy expense increased by $66,000 as a result of higher utilities and snow removal costs in the first quarter of 2014 due to the harsh winter weather conditions.  Finally, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $389,000, or an effective tax rate of 29.5%, in the first quarter of 2014 which is comparable with the income tax expense of $430,000, or an effective tax rate of 28.9%, for the first quarter of 2013.  


The Company had total assets of $1.05 billion, shareholders’ equity of $115 million, a book value of $4.97 per common share and a tangible book value of $4.31 per common share at March 31, 2014.  The Company has increased its tangible book value per share by 6.2% over the past twelve months.  The Company continued to maintain strong capital ratios that exceed the regulatory defined well capitalized status with a risk based capital ratio of 15.34%, an asset leverage ratio of 11.50% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 7.80% at March 31, 2014.


This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ materially.                          








Nasdaq: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

March 31, 2014

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(Unaudited)


2014

 

1QTR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$930

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.36%

 

 

 

 

Return on average equity

3.30

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin

3.56

 

 

 

 

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage

    of average loans


-

 

 

 

 

Loan loss provision (credit) as a percentage of

    average loans


-

 

 

 

 

Efficiency ratio

89.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.05

 

 

 

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,786

 

 

 

 

Diluted

0.05

 

 

 

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

18,904

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared

$0.01

 

 

 

 


2013

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,056

$1,070

$1,226

$1,841

$5,193

Net income available to common shareholders

1,004

1,018

1,173

1,789

4,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

0.43%

0.43%

0.47%

0.70%

0.51%

Return on average equity

3.86

3.86

4.44

6.57

4.69

Net interest margin

3.59

3.50

3.46

3.57

3.56

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage

    of average loans


0.76


(0.02)


(0.02)


0.04


0.18

Loan loss provision (credit) as a percentage

    of average loans


(0.14)


0.08


-


(0.51)


(0.15)

Efficiency ratio

89.52

86.28

85.41

86.17

86.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$0.05

$0.05

$0.06

$0.10

$0.26

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,168

19,039

18,784

18,784

18,942

Diluted

0.05

0.05

0.06

0.09

0.26

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,257

19,128

18,878

18,879

19,034

Cash dividends declared

$0.00

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

$0.03



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(In thousands, except per share, statistical, and ratio data)

(Unaudited)


2014

 

1QTR

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION  DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$1,051,108

 

 

 

Short-term investments/overnight funds

9,019

 

 

 

Investment securities

154,754

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale

789,620

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

10,109

 

 

 

Goodwill

12,613

 

 

 

Deposits

875,333

 

 

 

FHLB borrowings

40,483

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

114,590

 

 

 

Non-performing assets

3,274

 

 

 

Asset leverage ratio

11.50%

 

 

 

Tangible common equity ratio

7.80

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.97

 

 

 

Tangible book value (A)

4.31

 

 

 

Market value

3.85

 

 

 

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,692,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

347

 

 

 

Branch locations

18

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

18,793,388

 

 

 


2013

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

FINANCIAL CONDITION  DATA AT PERIOD END

 

 

 

 

Assets

$999,718

$1,025,084

$1,038,144

$1,056,036

Short-term investments/overnight funds

23,995

9,291

8,646

9,778

Investment securities

162,866

168,284

167,110

160,165

Loans and loans held for sale

717,852

751,522

763,681

786,748

Allowance for loan losses

10,960

11,145

11,183

10,104

Goodwill

12,613

12,613

12,613

12,613

Deposits

847,189

840,272

852,211

854,522

FHLB borrowings

16,000

50,292

52,096

66,555

Shareholders’ equity

111,445

109,282

110,370

113,307

Non-performing assets

4,387

5,027

5,037

4,109

Asset leverage ratio

11.58%

11.52%

11.44%

11.45%

Tangible common equity ratio

7.88

7.47

7.48

7.64

PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

Book value (A)

$4.72

$4.70

$4.76

$4.91

Tangible book value (A)

4.06

4.03

4.09

4.24

Market value

3.13

2.74

3.15

3.03

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

$1,566,236

$1,562,366

$1,599,402

$1,668,654

 

 

 

 

 

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

 

 

 

 

Full-time equivalent employees

357

360

358

352

Branch locations

18

18

18

18

Common shares outstanding

19,168,188

18,784,188

18,784,188

18,784,188

NOTES:

(A)

Preferred stock of $21 million received through the Small Business Lending Fund is excluded from the book value per

common share and tangible book value per common share calculations.

        (B)

Not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2014

 

1QTR

 

 

 

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$9,032

 

 

 

 

Interest on investments

1,063

 

 

 

 

Total Interest Income

10,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

1,211

 

 

 

 

All borrowings

359

 

 

 

 

Total Interest Expense

1,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,525

 

 

 

 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

-

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN

   LOSSES



8,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,863

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

169

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investment securities

57

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

101

 

 

 

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

478

 

 

 

 

Bank owned life insurance

187

 

 

 

 

Other income

677

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Interest Income

3,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

6,314

 

 

 

 

Net occupancy expense

839

 

 

 

 

Equipment expense

470

 

 

 

 

Professional fees

1,308

 

 

 

 

FDIC deposit insurance expense

160

 

 

 

 

Other expenses

1,647

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Interest Expense

10,738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,319

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

389

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

930

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

53

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$877

 

 

 

 


2013

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

TO DATE

Interest and fees on loans

$8,628

$8,590

$8,765

$9,137

$35,120

Interest on investments

1,074

1,037

1,046

1,066

4,223

Total Interest Income

9,702

9,627

9,811

10,203

39,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

1,350

1,288

1,274

1,252

5,164

All borrowings

310

318

337

353

1,318

Total Interest Expense

1,660

1,606

1,611

1,605

6,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

8,042

8,021

8,200

8,598

32,861

Provision (credit) for loan losses

(250)

150

-

(1,000)

(1,100)

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN

   LOSSES



8,292



7,871



8,200



9,598



33,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Trust fees

1,667

1,779

1,668

1,803

6,917

Investment advisory fees

214

220

225

236

895

Net realized gains on investment securities

71

-

66

67

204

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

386

241

285

177

1,089

Service charges on deposit accounts

511

538

560

564

2,173

Bank owned life insurance

201

388

204

205

998

Other income

766

909

978

815

3,468

Total Non-Interest Income

3,816

4,075

3,986

3,867

15,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

6,331

6,176

6,251

6,357

25,115

Net occupancy expense

773

751

694

719

2,937

Equipment expense

455

455

429

512

1,851

Professional fees

1,035

1,150

1,034

1,108

4,327

FDIC deposit insurance expense

134

151

152

174

611

Other expenses

1,894

1,759

1,853

1,876

7,382

Total Non-Interest Expense

10,622

10,442

10,413

10,746

42,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETAX INCOME

1,486

1,504

1,773

2,719

7,482

Income tax expense

430

434

547

878

2,289

NET INCOME

1,056

1,070

1,226

1,841

5,193

Preferred stock dividends

52

52

53

52

209

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS


$1,004


$1,018


$1,173


$1,789


$4,984


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(Unaudited)


2014

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

1QTR

 

1QTR

 

Interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$787,306

 

$727,505

 

Deposits with banks

5,881

 

8,339

 

Short-term investment in money market funds

4,272

 

3,209

 

Total investment securities

162,789

 

163,636

 

Total interest earning assets

960,248

 

902,689

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

15,970

 

17,220

 

Premises and equipment

13,149

 

12,151

 

Other assets

69,840

 

81,999

 

Allowance for loan losses

(10,142)

 

(12,548)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$1,049,065

 

$1,001,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing demand

$82,617

 

$62,978

 

Savings

88,535

 

87,195

 

Money market

228,715

 

213,203

 

Other time

303,140

 

314,019

 

Total interest bearing deposits

703,007

 

677,395

 

Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings

29,633

 

7,864

 

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

26,710

 

15,548

 

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

13,085

 

13,085

 

Total interest bearing liabilities

772,435

 

713,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

  Demand deposits

152,811

 

158,251

 

  Other liabilities

9,459

 

18,409

 

Shareholders’ equity

114,360

 

110,959

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$1,049,065

 

$1,001,511